Essay
By Paul Malmont - November 18, 2008
“Paul Malmont, You’re a Published Novelist! What are you going to do now?”
“I’m going to Disneyworld!”
I am considered something of a mythical creature, like Bigfoot, or the Loch Ness monster in that I’m the Advertising Copywriter who is also a Published Novelist. It’s like hitting the creative dreamer’s lottery, so I’m not going to ask you for your pity. But I’m just being honest when I say that those careers are also-rans, like having to go your fall-back college or toiling on a minor-league farm team.
I want to be an Imagineer—one of the people who create the experiences at the Disney theme parks. I love the idea of being able to create immersive environments; that’s why I write. But to be able to work on a three-dimensional storytelling canvas that people actually travel through would be something incredible. Not to mention helping make one of every child’s Top Ten Best Days Ever.
I’m a fiend for anything Imagineering. I have a large blue-print map of Disneyland on my wall which shows how the waterfall in the Pirates of the Caribbean transports the boats into a structure outside the park walls and under the parking lot because they ran out of room. I can tell you about the legend of the Ghost Bride, whose story was the basis for the Haunted Mansion, and where you can still see her. I love to read about the works of legendary Imagineers like Mary Blair, John Hench and Marc Davis, and I look forward to a new attraction from Joe Rohde the way others look forward to a new book from their favorite author.
I’d trade in all my taglines and maybe even my pulp collection for the chance to move up to the big leagues. I guess the artificial grass is always greener on the other side of the theme park.
“I’m going to Disneyworld!”
I am considered something of a mythical creature, like Bigfoot, or the Loch Ness monster in that I’m the Advertising Copywriter who is also a Published Novelist. It’s like hitting the creative dreamer’s lottery, so I’m not going to ask you for your pity. But I’m just being honest when I say that those careers are also-rans, like having to go your fall-back college or toiling on a minor-league farm team.
I want to be an Imagineer—one of the people who create the experiences at the Disney theme parks. I love the idea of being able to create immersive environments; that’s why I write. But to be able to work on a three-dimensional storytelling canvas that people actually travel through would be something incredible. Not to mention helping make one of every child’s Top Ten Best Days Ever.
I’m a fiend for anything Imagineering. I have a large blue-print map of Disneyland on my wall which shows how the waterfall in the Pirates of the Caribbean transports the boats into a structure outside the park walls and under the parking lot because they ran out of room. I can tell you about the legend of the Ghost Bride, whose story was the basis for the Haunted Mansion, and where you can still see her. I love to read about the works of legendary Imagineers like Mary Blair, John Hench and Marc Davis, and I look forward to a new attraction from Joe Rohde the way others look forward to a new book from their favorite author.
I’d trade in all my taglines and maybe even my pulp collection for the chance to move up to the big leagues. I guess the artificial grass is always greener on the other side of the theme park.
